AG Nessel brings charges against Owosso caregiver

Diane Kay Lott, 58, of Owosso, was charged Wednesday for her role in creating unreasonable health and safety risks to her residents.

Fourth degree Vulnerable Adult Abuse is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

These charges are the second to come from the Attorney General's Office after Nessel announced her new Elder Abuse Task Force in late March.

The charges follow an investigation into Lott, who is the owner and licensee of an Owosso-based adult foster care home.

And occurred after the Attorney General's Office was provided with a complaint from the Michigan Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman Program.

The complaint alleged Lott had 10 adult residents in her care at two facilities but failed to properly care for them.

During an unannounced visit as part of the investigation, state investigators discovered three employees worked part time at the facility and not a single employee was CPR or first aid certified.

The facility's medication provider certificate had also expired.

The Attorney General's Office immediately notified the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Adult Protective Services, and the Owosso Police.

The three agencies responded to the facility to relocate residents.

"I'm proud of how these agencies worked together to intervene, putting the safety of these residents first," Nessel said. "Vulnerable adult abuse will not be tolerated by this office and we will continue to protect the health, safety and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens."

Lott was arraigned in District Court and released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

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